Airlines and cargo companies also see opportunities from commercial drones, Celine Hourcade, head of cargo transformation at IATA said. Profits are expected to grow by more than $2 billion in 2018, up to $11.5 billion. Demand to and from North America fell in year-on-year terms for the seventh consecutive month in September (the most recent month for which route-specific figures are available) and it remains the only worldwide market not to have grown in annual terms this year.

Domestic demand climbed 7.2% in October compared to October 2016, while capacity rose 6.6%. Passenger traffic (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) is expected to rise 6.0 per cent (slightly down on the 7.5 per cent growth of 2017 but still ahead of the average of the past 10-20 years of 5.5 per cent), which will exceed a capacity expansion (available seat kilometers or ASKs) of 5.7 per cent.

The growth in passenger numbers for SA (international and domestic) was expected to be between 3% and 4% a year for the next five years, according to projections by Airlines Association of Southern Africa.

Despite the rise in passenger and cargo numbers, the rate of growth for both will be lower in 2018 then 2017, IATA said.

This has seen airlines achieve "sustainable levels of profitability", de Juniac said.

Despite rising costs, things are looking up for the airline industry.

The organisation forecast profit would grow to $600m next year from $300m this year on the back of a minor increase in demand.

While IATA expects improved profitability across all regions, North America will continue to lead the way, generating net gains of $16.4 billion. "Many of them are in the hands of governments".

"The industry also faces longer-term challenges".

He said: "To continue to deliver on our full potential, governments need to raise their game-implementing global standards on security, finding a reasonable level of taxation, delivering smarter regulation and building the cost-efficient infrastructure to accommodate growing demand".

Total capacity climbed by six per cent in the global passenger market segment, while load factor increased one percentage point to 79.4 per cent y-o-y, it said.

Air crew saw North Korea missile re-enter atmosphereDec 06, 2017 - 01:07
Cathay Pacific flight CX893 was making its way over Japan when Pyongyang fired the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile. According to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), that is a comment that needs to be taken seriously.

Apple Pay Cash IntegrationDec 06, 2017 - 01:02
Although it's only available to some users, for now, Apple promised to roll it out to all iPhone users this week. Apple said in a tweet it will be rolling out Apple Pay Cash to iPhone users over the course of this week.

Ireland to reluctantly collect tax windfall from AppleDec 06, 2017 - 00:49
Apple will start implementing an August 2016 European Commission ruling, paying Dublin billions of Euros in back taxes. Starting next year, will have to start paying Ireland back billions of back taxes.

Special needs kids get to meet Santa at Bay Park Square MallDec 05, 2017 - 02:31
Woodard says this is the first year the mall has had the event on their property and they plan to do it again next year. The report says it's unknown who took the full Santa Claus suit and an extra hat from a back room at the mall.

Supermoon photos: See wonderful shots of 2017 lunar spectacleDec 05, 2017 - 02:17
The Moon will lose its brightness and take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow from the scant sunlight, giving it a reddish hue. A supermoon is a full moon that is at or near (90 percent of) its closest point in its orbit around Earth (perigee).

Huskies to face Penn State in Fiesta BowlDec 05, 2017 - 01:44
The Fiesta Bowl is an interesting bowl placement for PSU, as they have not played in one since 1997, when they defeated Texas. Penn State's 1982 national title was also preceded by a 26-10 win over USC in the Fiesta Bowl to close out the 1981 season.

Ohio State outlasts Wisconsin to win Big Ten ChampionshipDec 04, 2017 - 01:39
The committee ranked Ohio State fifth after much debate over whether the Buckeyes would take the No. 4 spot over the Crimson Tide. Ohio State's victory against previously unbeaten Wisconsin was their third of note as it pertains to the CFP rankings.

Woods ties for 9th as Fowler wins with 61Dec 04, 2017 - 01:25
That contrasted sharply with Friday when he took nine shots less to finish the front nine. Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth finished in a tie for third place on 12 under.

New England Patriots closing in on AFC East titleDec 04, 2017 - 01:12
In what had the makings of a competitive game early, the Patriots pulled away for a convincing 23-3 win over the Bills on Sunday. Then they did the weirdest thing and benched quarterback Tyrod Taylor despite him playing well and the team winning.